Homemade Croutons

Few things are better than salad with homemade dressing and croutons fresh from the oven.

1 loaf bread (Day old bread is better & easier to slice or use dense bread like rye.)
1 stick maragine (Parkay's my favorite.)
1 tsp. onion powder
1/4 tsp. garlic powder (I found some with parsley mixed in that's good.)
1/2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
1 Tbsp. parmesan cheese powder

Cut bread into 1/2 inch cubes. Spead cubes evenly on baking sheet. Bake at 300 degrees for 10 minutes.

Remove from oven. Re-set oven to 275 degrees.

Melt margerine and stir in seasonings. Put toasted bread cubes in large bowl and drizzle margerine mixture. Gently toss to coat cubes as evenly as possible.

Spread cubes out on baking sheet again and return to 275 degree oven. Bake for 30 minutes or until cubes are crisp and light brown. Cool.

Be prepared to make more.

Image: Paul / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Mocha Coffee

This recipe features several things I like the most - chocolate, coffee, and convenience.

In blender or food processor, blend until powdered:

1/2 C. instant coffee
1/2 C. sugar
1 C. dry milk Or creamer (creamer makes for a richer coffee)
2 Tbsp. cocoa (Hershey's Special Dark Cocoa is yummy.)

For coffee, stir one tablespoon mix into one cup hot water. Sip slowly for maximum pleasure.

Image: Michelle Meiklejohn / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Hot Pecan Spread

8 oz. cream cheese, softened
2 Tbsp. milk
2 Tbsp. dry onion flakes
Black pepper to taste
1 pkg. corned beef, chopped
½ tsp. garlic salt
½ C. sour cream
½ C. pecans, chopped

Mix all ingredients together. Bake in 350-degree oven until heated through. Spread on crackers.

Very easy and quick appetizer. I usually dump all the ingredients into my food processor and give it a couple of good whirls and then dump it into my Corningware baking dish. Although it's good hot, cold leftovers make a good snack, too.